Georgia OLB Chuks Amaechi expected to participate in summer workouts

Georgia should have another contributing defender back for summer workouts.

During Wednesday’s SEC teleconference, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said outside linebacker Chuks Amaechi is likely to participate during football-related activities this summer, which are mostly led by teammates and the strength staff. Amaechi sustained a torn labrum last season and underwent surgery to repair it.

“Chuks has done very well. He’s doing a lot more with all of his rehab,” Smart said. “He should be fine to go through summer workouts. There may be some limitations in the weight room, but he’s working really hard.”

Amaechi is expected to contribute more in 2016 given that both Leonard Floyd (Chicago Bears) and Jordan Jenkins (New York Jets) were selected last weekend in the NFL draft. A season ago, Amaechi totaled 5 tackles but did participate in all 13 games.

Smart said he liked what he saw on film when evaluating Amaechi over the spring.

“He was a really good role player last year, especially on special teams,” Smart said. “When I watched special teams, he stood out as a guy who could help us. He’s got a really good attitude as well.”

Amaechi isn’t the only Georgia outside linebacker coming off of an injury.

Smart mentioned that Davin Bellamy dealt with some pain throughout the spring as it pertained to the knee injury he sustained during TaxSlayer Bowl practices in December. Bellamy did not play in Georgia’s 24-17 win over Penn State but did participate in each of Georgia’s spring practices, as well as the G-Day spring game.

“Davin’s coming off of a knee injury from the bowl game,” Smart said. “I thought he progressed well. He has a ways to go. He was frustrated with the injury but he did try to push through that. He got better through that process.”

Bellamy is expected to be one of Georgia’s starting outside linebackers along with Lorenzo Carter. In 2015, Bellamy recorded 33 tackles and 3 sacks in 10 games.

Smart was also complimentary of outside linebacker D’Andre Walker, who recorded four sacks during the G-Day game. Smart, however, still has concerns overall with the outside linebacker group as a whole.

“I don’t know if we’re big enough or stout enough or where we need to be,” Smart said.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Georgia OLB Chuks Amaechi expected to participate in summer workouts."